but congress can undo those tax hikes if the house passes the senate's bill. vice president biden, who was instrumental in brokering the deal, told reporters he's hopeful it can get through the house but you never know. >> you shouldn't predict how the senate will vote before they vote and number two, you surely shouldn't predict how the house is going to vote. >> reporter: it would extend tax cuts for all workers earning under $400,000 and raise taxes on people above that level and prevent a big tax hike in an estate valued at less than $5 million and extend unemployment benefits for 2 million people. the house will take it up later this morning, the hope is that chamber can pass it before the economy is rocked by the tax hikes. >> happy new year. i feel very, very good. >> reporter: president obama called the senate vote the right thing to do for the country and he encouraged the house to pass it right away. >> all right, abc's tahman bradley reporting from washington. thanks. have a very happy new year. we know you're going to be today, tahman. >> same to y